How to Tile a Kitchen video

Looking for how to tile a kitchen wall or kitchen floor?

Tiling your kitchen? Let us show you how quick and easy it is with this simple, step-by-step guide from Walls and Floors! Our friendly tiler takes you through the process, and recommends the best products for the job. Tiling a kitchen has never been so straightforward.

Preparing for the job

Have you got a sufficient amount of tiles, adhesive and grout? Firstly, measure the area to be tiled and calculate it in square metres. Then work out the number of tiles and add about 10% for wastage. Walls and Floors can help you with your calculations if you're unsure. Alternatively, you can use our handy Tile Calculator. It can be found on all tile product pages. Always check the wall to make sure the background you're tiling on is clean, dry and sound, and will hold the weight of the tiling. Always check recommended weight loadings for your tiles. That's 32kg/Sqm for plasterboard, and 20kg/Sqm for well-adhered plaster.

Preparing your kitchen for tiling

Start by marking out the area to be tiled. Take a baton of timber, and mark out the width of your tiles with spacers. This will help you estimate the final position of your tiles, and plan evenly-sized cuts to the tile edges. Next, place a tile against the lowest point of the base you're working to and draw a level line. Fix a baton along this line to hold your first row of tiles, and draw a vertical line at one end of the wall to allow you to check that your tiles are in line as you tile up the wall.

Applying your kitchen wall tiles

When tiling directly onto plasterboard, we recommend using Ardex D20 Tile Adhesive. There's no need to prime, saving you loads of time. Our tiler likes Ardex D20 because it's nice and smooth, and it has a good structure to it. Use a Wall Trowel to apply a good, even layer of adhesive. Press and twist the tiles into the adhesive, one row at a time. Use Tile Spacers to ensure a uniform joint. Once the adhesive has hardened, you're reading to get on with the grouting.

Grouting your kitchen wall tiles

Before you begin, carefully check that your tile joints are free from any excess adhesive and that you've removed any tile spacers. We recommend using Ardex-Flex FL Tile Grout. Not only is it easy to apply, it's also durable and flexible, and available in 32 colours. Simply add the powder to the water, and mix to a good, creamy consistency like paint. Use a Grout Float to work the grout into the tile joints. Wait for the grout to partially set, and wash the tile surface off with an Ardex Professional Tiling Sponge and clean water. Once you've completed the wall tiling, you're now ready to start the floor tiling.

Tiling your kitchen floors

Before floor tiling, always check the base you're tiling onto is sound, dry, clean, flat and level. Uneven surfaces can easily be levelled using Arditex NA Levelling Compound. First, find the best position for your centreline to tile from. Use a gauging staff to set out your floor tiling and check your tile cuts. We recommend using Ardex X7R Tile Adhesive. Thoroughly mix the powder adhesive into clean water using a Mixing Paddle and drill. Then, working from your centreline, use a Floor Trowel to spread out an even bed of adhesive. Press each tile firmly into the adhesive using a slight twisting motion. Push a Tile Spacer between the tiles as you go. Smaller tiles can be cut using a traditional Manual Tile Cutter. For awkward cuts, back-buttering of the tiles before fixing might be easier. Then, once the adhesive has hardened, your tiles can be grouted.

Grouting your kitchen floor tiles

We recommend using Ardex-Flex FL Tile Grout. Not only is it easy to apply, it's also durable and flexible and available in 32 colours. Using a Grout Float, work the grout into the tile joints using diagonal sweeping mnotions. Wait for the grout to partially dry before wiping clean with an Ardex Professional Tiling Sponge and clean water. To finish the job, we're using Ardex ST Silicone Sealant. Simply cut the nozzle, load the gun, and apply. Ardex ST is available in 6 colours, which closely match the most popular Ardex-Flex products. Finally, polish off your newly tiled room, stand back, and admire your work.

All the products shown in this video and more are available right here at Walls and Floors. Now you've seen How To Tile A Kitchen, why not take a look at How To Tile A Bathroom?

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